facts pertaining to the controversy between the Executive and
Congress as to the restoration and preservation of the Union, set
out in the following pages, will be interesting and instructive.
No one is better fitted than the author of this volume to discuss
the period of reconstruction in which, as a member of the Federal
senate, he played so potent and patriotic a part, and it is a
pleasure to find that he has discharged his task with so much
ability and care. But it is profoundly hoped that no coming
generation will be called upon to utilize the experiences of the
past in facing in their day, in field or forum, the dangers of
disruption and anarchy, mortal strife and desolation, between
those of one race, and blood, and nationality, that marked the
history of America thirty years ago.

DAVID B. HILL.



CHAPTER 1. THE PROBLEM OF RECONSTRUCTION.

MR. LINCOLN'S PLAN

The close of the War of the Rebellion, in 1865, found the country
confronted by a civil problem quite as grave as the contest of
arms that had been composed. It was that of reconstruction, or
the restoration of the States lately in revolt, to their
constitutional relations to the Union.

The country had just emerged from a gigantic struggle of physical
force of four years duration between the two great Northern and